Patent US6028611A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6028611A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Modular digital image processing via an image processing chain
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1996-08-29
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Granted: 2000-02-22
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Expires: 2016-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for manipulating image data in a digital image capture device includes forming two or more image processors, and providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device. The method further includes linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, the image processing chain capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners. In a system aspect, the system includes a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of processing digital image data through two or more image processors. The system further includes a central processing unit within the digital image capture device and capable of linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, wherein the image processing chain manipulates the digital image data in sequential and serial manners.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric C. Anderson
- 👤 Gary Chin
- 👤 George W. Dalke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 15:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06T; G06T11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for manipulating image data in a digital image capture device, the method comprising: forming two or more image processors; providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device; and linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain (IPC), the IPC capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners, the image processors in the IPC coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
150 words
A method for manipulating image data in a digital image capture device, the method comprising: forming two or more image processors; providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device; and linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain (IPC), the IPC capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners, the image processors in the IPC coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a linearization image processor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a bad pixel replacement image processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a white balance image processor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises an image reconstruction image processor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a color correction image processor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a color space conversion image processor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a sharpening image processor.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a compression image processor.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for manipulating digital image data, the system comprising: a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of processing digital image data through two or more image processors; and a central processing unit within the digital image capture device and capable of linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain (IPC), wherein the IPC manipulates the digital image data in sequential and serial manners, wherein the image processors in the IPC are coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
164 words
A system for manipulating digital image data, the system comprising: a digital image capture device, the digital image capture device capable of processing digital image data through two or more image processors; and a central processing unit within the digital image capture device and capable of linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain (IPC), wherein the IPC manipulates the digital image data in sequential and serial manners, wherein the image processors in the IPC are coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a linearization image processor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a bad pixel replacement image processor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a white balance image processor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises an image reconstruction image processor.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a color correction image processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a color space conversion image processor.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a sharpening image processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10 wherein one of the IPC image processors comprises a compression image processor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
144 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for: forming two or more image processors; providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device; and linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, the image processing chain capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners, the image processors in the IPC coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
144 words
A computer readable medium containing program instructions for: forming two or more image processors; providing the two or more image processors in the digital image capture device; and linking the two or more image processors to form an image processing chain, the image processing chain capable of manipulating image data in sequential and serial manners, the image processors in the IPC coordinated by an image processing backplane (IPB), wherein the IPB comprises: at least one data structure for storing information relating to the image processors of the IPC, and a plurality of functions for initializing the IPC, installing an image processor into the IPC, signaling that all image processors are installed into the IPC, destroying the IPC, and updating the IPC, wherein the IPB is capable of calling functions for defining, initializing, resetting, processing, controlling, obtaining a status of, and destroying an image processor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-02-21 | 2003-08-23 | 2004-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-02-21 | 2007-08-23 | 2008-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-02-21 | 2011-08-23 | 2012-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |